Church secures £75k funding for project
ACHURCH in Hale Village near Widnes has received more than £75,000 for an exciting renovation project.
St Mary’s Church has been granted £75,300 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
The funds – raised by National Lottery players – will allow several pieces of work to take place.
It will include the church building itself being repointed.
The church was restored in 1875 but its interior was severely damaged by fire in 1977.
Though repairs were undertaken and the church re-opened in 1980, funds did not allow the pointing to be done then, so the work is urgently needed.
Interior glass doors to replace the present oak doors which will allow a more welcoming entrance, as well as enabling people to see into the building without accessing it when it is unstaffed.
The outer doors will be left open during daylight hours and the glass doors secured.
The oak doors will be used elsewhere in the building and the porch repainted and seating created.
Interpretation boards will also be placed in the porch, telling people the great heritage and history of the building.
Information leaflets and heritage trails will also to be set up for children and adults.
Gilly Thompson said: “We are thrilled to have received support, and thanks to National Lottery players, we are confident the project will allow our building to be kept in the best possible condition, as well as allowing people to find out about the amazing heritage that has been within a place of worship on this site since 1081.
“We are very grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund.”
Thanks to National Lottery players, the HLF invests money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about – from the archaeology to historic parks and buildings, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife.
For more information visit www.hlf.org.uk